In the hushed quiet of the night, with the castle swathed in its cloak of darkness, a bold young princess of fourteen years summoned her closest friend to meet her upon the forbidden knight's grounds. The moon hung high above, casting its ethereal glow on the stone paths, while the night air whispered of old secrets long buried in the shadows.
Jack arrived as promised, yet something felt wrong. A strange unease prickled at the back of his neck. He saw it then, an indistinct figure standing in the far corner, its shape swallowed by the darkness. Cautiously, he drew his sword, its cold blade flashing faintly under the dim light, as his heart quickened. Elsa could appear at any moment, and with the tension in the air, this encounter could swiftly turn into something far more dangerous. His every instinct told him to stay alert.
As he neared the mysterious figure, he stepped forward, blade poised, only to pause in confusion. The silhouette was no threat; it was merely a cloak, carelessly flung over a low-hanging branch. Jack let out a sharp breath of relief, but before he could lower his guard entirely, a burst of laughter rang out; bright, teasing, unmistakably familiar.
"So, who's the trickster this time, Jack?" Elsa's voice sang out from the shadows.
His heart skipped a beat, and he turned to face her, his tension dissolving into exasperated affection. "My dear princess, you've caused me no small measure of concern," he said, his voice a mix of relief and reproach. "Now, if you would be so kind, might you enlighten me as to why you have summoned me here in the dead of night?"
Elsa stepped from the shadows, her eyes alight with mischief and something else...something more serious. She met his gaze with a quiet resolve. "I wish to inform my father that I have chosen you, Jack, to be my knight."
Jack blinked, his heart momentarily stilled. "Your knight?" he repeated, his voice thick with astonishment. He took a step back, looking at her as though she might be jesting. "But, Your Highness, I am but a humble squire, still in the midst of my training. I cannot be your knight, not when I am barely capable of fending off my own fears." He laughed bitterly, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. "Just now, I was startled by a mere shadow! How can I protect you when I am afraid of shadows? You deserve far more than what I can offer."
Elsa's expression softened, her gaze steady and unwavering as she stepped closer to him. "Perhaps I do not need a knight who is without fear, Jack," she said, her voice quieter now, filled with something deeper than jest. "Perhaps I simply wish for you to be near. I choose you because, despite your doubts, you are the one I trust above all others. And I without a doubt, know you'll save me, no matter what." Her words lingered in the air like a fragile promise.
Jack's breath caught in his chest. Her words, simple yet profound, seemed to echo in the quiet night. He was no great knight, no legendary warrior. He was a boy, afraid of the shadows, afraid of failing. And yet, here she was, offering him a trust he could not yet fathom. He lowered his sword, the weight of her gaze settling on him like a mantle.
"Then I shall stand by you, Your Highness," Jack murmured, his voice thick with a mix of resolve and uncertainty. "Not only as your knight, but also as your most devoted friend."
If only they knew that Jackson would one day become the greatest knight the kingdom had ever known.
Her eyelids fluttered open, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips, a smile that had long been absent, as though her heart had forgotten how to express joy. "At last...some joyful memories," she whispered softly, the words barely escaping her. With a quiet sigh, she closed her eyes once more, her soul aching for another precious moment to unfold. She longed to see him again, to feel his arms around her, to relive the warmth of his embrace...if only in her mind.
"You look like a mermaid," Jack's voice, warm and full of admiration, broke through the air as he gazed at Elsa with soft, adoring eyes.
Elsa raised an eyebrow and chuckled, the sound light and teasing. "What?"
Blushing deeply, Jack reached out, his fingers gently brushing her rosy cheek. "You look unreal, Elsa."
She rolled her eyes at her husband, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'm dressed in my usual attire," she said, her tone dismissive, though the blush that bloomed on her cheeks told another story.
With a light heart, Elsa began to walk away, but Jack, ever devoted, could not bear to let her go. "Where are you off to?" he asked, his voice a mixture of curiosity and longing.
In moments, they found themselves standing at the threshold of their magnificent ice castle. Elsa paused, turning to face him, her beauty only amplified by the shimmering moonlight. "We're going for a horse ride," she announced, her voice playful, yet laden with an unspoken promise. A mischievous glint danced in her eyes. "After all, a queen cannot depart without her knight."
Jack stood frozen for a moment, spellbound by his wife's presence. She had always been this way, captivating, mesmerizing, her very being like a work of art brought to life. As Elsa delicately grazed her fingers along his chin, a wave of awe swept over him. "You truly are a mermaid," he whispered, the words falling from his lips in reverence.
Her laughter rang out, light and musical. "You have an unusual way of complimenting me, my love."
Unable to resist, Jack pulled her close, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that was tender, yet full of the depth of his affection. When he pulled away, he whispered, his voice thick with emotion, "My love for you knows no bounds, Your Majesty. I love you, Elsa."
Her gaze softened, and though she did not say the words in return, Jack knew. He always knew. He didn't need her to say it aloud. She had shown him in every smile, every glance, every touch. He was her knight, and she was his queen, and that was enough.
A mermaid, Jack had said once before, his voice filled with awe, as though she were something born from the very sea itself. The memory lingered in her mind now, a bittersweet echo.
Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, the familiar chill of the night air pressing against her skin.
This was the moment before it all slipped away. The moment before his life would once again fade from her grasp, leaving her with nothing but memories.
She could feel the weight of the past crashing down upon her. In this lifetime, they had found each other, loved each other, and yet it was always the same. He would die.
Elsa closed her eyes, her chest tightening as she fought against the overwhelming pull of grief that threatened to consume her.
Why could she never keep him?
Why was it always this way?
Jackson's heart raced as he gripped the worn leather pouch, the only connection to the hard-earned wages that had been withheld for far too long. A month of exhausting work, long hours, and grueling shifts had finally come to a close, and today, payday had arrived. He'd labored from dusk till dawn, enduring the piercing exhaustion that gnawed at him with every passing minute, all for the promise of something better. Yet, the day had come, and he could hardly believe the small sum that would have to stretch far beyond its means.
Elsa, his beautiful, fragile Elsa, had once been the breadwinner of their humble little household too, but after Jack's sickness worsened, she had been forced to leave her job to care for him. Now, she was left with nothing but her worry and the weight of caring for both her ailing husband, and worrying how they would survive with only his income.
But Jackson was determined, despite everything. He dreamed of providing for Elsa, of giving her everything she'd ever wanted. No, everything she deserved…but how could he? He was barely scraping by himself. His body ached with the exhaustion of working two jobs, one at the factory, and the other as a delivery man, working until the early morning hours just to make sure their table had more than the barest of sustenance. And still, it was never enough. His manager, Hans, was a cruel man, always finding ways to cut his pay or delay his wages, testing Jackson's patience at every turn.
But today, today was different. Today, he would finally bring home the fruits of his labor. He could feel the weight of the meager amount in his pocket, but it was his, his hard-earned money. He held it close, imagining the look on Elsa's face when he could finally bring something good to their small, run-down home.
Walking home through the busy street, Jackson's thoughts drifted to Elsa. He wished he could give her more, something beautiful, something that would make her smile and forget the worry that weighed on her fragile heart. That's when he saw it, a small stall with shimmering jewels. The sight of the delicate rings, their soft glimmer beckoning him, filled him with a quiet hope. He'd never been one to splurge, but maybe…just maybe, he could get her something, a symbol of his love, something to show her how much he cherished her.
He approached the stall, his eyes drawn to a modest blue ring. It wasn't the grand diamond he knew she deserved, but it was beautiful in its simplicity. Maybe it would bring a little joy to Elsa, who had given up so much for him.
"How much is this blue ring?" Jackson asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if the very act of speaking it out loud would cause it to slip away.
The vendor sneered, looking Jackson up and down as if his very existence was an affront. "It's not within your means," he spat, his tone dripping with disdain.
But Jackson, too proud and determined to let anything slip away from him, persisted. "Please. Tell me the price."
The vendor laughed bitterly, clearly enjoying the moment. "Six gold," he said, the words laced with ridicule. "Do you have that kind of money, boy? Look at you! Barely a penny to your name, with shoes that are falling apart."
Jackson felt the sting of the vendor's words, but he refused to let it show. He had been through worse, much worse, in his life. He had grown up in an orphanage, after all, and no stranger's insult could wound him as deeply as his own memories. But Elsa, he had to protect her from this. He wouldn't let her see the way the world treated them, wouldn't let her feel the weight of these demeaning moments. He fished into his pocket, ignoring the ache in his chest, and pulled out the coins. With trembling fingers, he counted the amount before handing it over.
"I'll take it," he said, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. He could already hear the vendor's mocking laughter ringing in his ears.
Without another word, the vendor shoved the ring into his hands, waving him off dismissively. "Take it and leave."
Jackson didn't care. All that mattered was that he had the ring, and he was going to give it to Elsa. He clutched it tightly in his hand, fighting the wave of humiliation that threatened to overwhelm him. All he could think about was Elsa's smile, the way she would light up when she saw the gift. She deserved that smile, even if the ring was humble, even if it was the simplest thing he could afford.
When he finally reached their tiny home, he called out to her, "Snowflake, I'm home." His voice cracked with longing, but there was no answer. A knot of fear twisted in his stomach. He had never known a world without Elsa, and the thought of losing her terrified him more than he could express. "Elsa?" he called again, rushing through the door.
And then, a voice rang out behind him, followed by the weight of Elsa's body colliding with his back. "Got you!" she cried, laughing joyously.
A wave of relief washed over him as he staggered, startled, and caught her in his arms. She giggled, her warmth filling him up in ways he couldn't articulate. "You scared me, Snowflake," he whispered, his heart pounding. The fear of losing her, of not being able to keep her safe, lingered in his chest, but she was here, in his arms, and that was all that mattered.
Elsa looked up at him, her eyes soft with affection. "I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to frighten you," she murmured, brushing her fingers through his chestnut hair. "But you've been working so hard. I missed you, too."
"I love you, Elsa," Jackson said, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. He buried his face in her shoulder, inhaling the scent of her, so familiar, comforting, intoxicating. "More than anything."
Elsa's fingers played with his hair as she pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. "Why are you so sentimental today, dear husband?" she teased, a playful smile on her lips.
He didn't answer her right away. Instead, he reached into his jacket and pulled out the small velvet box. His hands shook as he opened it to reveal the ring. "I got this for you," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Elsa's face softened with concern, and she reached for his hand, looking at the ring. "Jack, I love it, but we can't afford luxuries. We need to take care of things...food, bills, everything," she said gently, her worry evident.
But Jackson wouldn't hear it. He slid the ring onto her finger, his eyes brimming with tears. "We've been married a year, Elsa. You deserve this. You deserve more. I'm sorry it's not a diamond-"
Elsa cut him off with a kiss, her lips firm and warm against his. When she pulled away, she smiled softly. "It's the most beautiful thing, Jack. But you didn't have to."
He hesitated, his heart heavy with a quiet sorrow. "This hand...it deserves a diamond," he whispered, his voice tinged with regret, the simplicity of the ring somehow making him feel even more inadequate.
Elsa cupped his face in her hands, her gaze steady. "I've never been fond of diamonds," she said gently.
Jackson's mind flashed back to their days in the orphanage, when she had always gravitated toward shiny blue things. "You used to love shiny blue things," he murmured, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Elsa grinned, her fingers brushing against his cheek as she leaned in closer. "I was referring to your eyes," she said, her voice a soft whisper.
Jackson's heart swelled in his chest, but the weight of his insecurities still lingered. He had nothing! Nothing to give her but his love. She could have anyone. With her beauty, her kindness, her smile, she could captivate the wealthiest suitor, and yet, she had chosen him. He had nothing but his love and his broken heart to offer, and it wasn't enough. It never would be.
"I wish I could give you the world," he said, his voice trembling with unshed tears. He pulled her close again, burying his face in her hair.
But Elsa, in her quiet grace, kissed him gently on the cheek, as if to remind him that he had already given her everything she ever needed. "You already have, Jack," she whispered softly.